Seasons of Growth

Years ago, Stella and I took an anniversary trip to Portland and stayed in this hotel. Now, I don’t know what it is about hotels — maybe the fresh towels or the little shampoos — but they always make me attempt things I don’t normally do. And on this particular trip, I woke up early and decided I was going to work out. The “fitness center,” though — let’s be honest — it was more like a fitness closet. Maybe 200 square feet. A treadmill, a bike, and a few free weights that probably hadn’t been used since the Obama administration. So, I get on the treadmill, hit start, and — in a burst of foolish confidence — I ramp it up to 10. I’m flying. Knees up. Heart racing. Chest out. I feel like an Olympian… for the first 60 seconds. And then the oxygen runs out. Suddenly I’m questioning every life choice I’ve ever made. I’m just about to turn the speed down to something more human when the door opens — and in walks this guy who looks like he eats CrossFit for breakfast. I mean, his arms were like thighs coming out of his chest. Instant intimidation. If I turn this treadmill down now, he’s going to know I was faking it. I’ve got my dignity — my manhood — on the line. So I just keep sprinting. Two minutes. Three minutes. Four minutes. I’m running on the outside and dying on the inside. Finally, Stella walks in — and I immediately slam the machine down to zero like, “Oh hey babe, yeah, just finishing up here…”

And that moment taught me something: I didn’t want to look like someone in process. I didn’t want to look like a beginner. I wanted to appear strong — even if I was actually struggling. And I think often, we all feel that way to some degree. We think if we’re still learning, still maturing, still fighting battles — something must be wrong with us. But there was a season where even Jesus — fully God — chose to experience human development. Luke 2 tells us:

Luke 2:52 NASB95

52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Let’s be honest: Jesus learned, Jesus grew, Jesus developed as a human. And so if Jesus wasn’t above development, neither are we. And the truth is, Jesus developed in many of the same ways we do.

1. Jesus learned obedience

Hebrews 5:8 NASB95

8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.

· He didn’t pop out of the manger quoting the Sermon on the Mount.

· He submitted to parents.

· He honored earthly authority.

· He learned timing, restraint, discipline.

2. Jesus learned self-care

Matthew 26:37–38 NASB95

37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”

· He ate meals.

· He slept.

· He withdrew when overwhelmed.

· He took naps in storms.

· He cared for His emotional, physical, spiritual wellbeing.

He named His emotional state, Jesus invited support andwas honest about His inner condition. I love how the author of Hebrews says it:

Hebrews 4:15 NASB95

15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

3. Jesus apprenticed as a carpenter

Matthew 13:55 NASB95

55 “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?

· He learned a trade from Joseph.

· He built with His hands.

· He created.

· He sweated.

· He experienced the ordinary.

4. Jesus knew the feel of sweat and work

John 4:6 NASB95

6 and Jacob’s well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

· Jesus experienced physical fatigue.

· He wore out.

· He got thirsty.

· His body ached.

There is no “pretend humanity.” Jesus fully entered our world and lived it, like we do. Why does this matter? It matters because it means God is not remote from your process — He has experienced it.

So, here is what you need to know:

If you’re learning obedience — Jesus gets it.

If you’re learning discipline — Jesus gets it.

If you’re learning responsibility — Jesus gets it.

If you’re developing maturity — Jesus gets it.

But listen, we don’t grow in isolation; we grow in community. Jesus’ development gave Him sympathy toward humanity - do you remember that passage we read earlier?

Hebrews 4:15 NASB95

15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

 — and your development is equipping you to empathize with someone else. Your struggles today are becoming your compassion tomorrow. So, as we head into Christmas — a season where many feel pressure to be “perfect,” “joyful,” “all together” — remember: If Jesus took time to develop, so can you. You have permission to be in process.